Tired legs a possible factor at the top of Spanish legue table in week 32

The race for the BBVA Primera Liga title continues this weekend and Real Madrid may be optimistic of overtaking FC Barcelona at the top of the table.

Both sides play their respective matches from week 32 in the season on Saturday with Barcelona at home to Valencia and Real Madrid taking on Malaga, but with Real Madrid having played their Champions League quarter-final on Tuesday and Barcelona taking on Paris Saint Germain on Wednesday, it's obvious that they have had longer to prepare for what could be one of the decisive weekends of the season than the Catalans.

Valencia will travel to Barcelona's Camp Nou Stadium in fourth place and with hopes of overtaking third place Atletico Madrid, while at the same time mindful of fifth place Sevilla, who are also pushing hard for a Champions League spot.

The look to sit deep and play on the break, a style which has given Barca problems in the past, but the league leaders will have taken heart from Wednesday's 3-1 win in France, which has all but assured their place in the semi-finals of the Champions League yet again.

It will be interesting to see if Luis Enrique rotates his side this weekend or waits until Tuesday night before resting key players.

Real Madrid meanwhile have it all to do in their Champions league return leg at home to Atletico next week, but coach Carlo Ancelotti will also be wary of resting too many players against seventh place Malaga, who themselves are looking for European football next season.

One possible advantage for Real Madrid is that they kick off after Barca's game has finished and should Barca slip up they will know a win would take them back to the top of the league.

Atletico also play on Saturday and face a trip to play struggling Deportivo for whom Victor Sanchez makes his home debut as coach. Atletico also have to balance their league obligations with the efforts of playing neighbors, Real Madrid in the Champions League next Wednesday.

Saturday ends with Athletic Club Bilbao playing at home to Getafe. Athletic still have hopes of a seventh place finish, while Getafe are comfortable in mid-table.

Sunday kicks off with Almeria looking to continue their recovery under Sergi Barjuan away to an unpredictable Rayo Vallecano, who last week lost 6-1 away to Celta Vigo.

Sevilla travel to Granada aiming to keep their Champions League hopes alive against a side in freefall in recent weeks and Granada coach Abel Resino could well be sacked if his side suffer a heavy defeat.

Sixth place Villarreal will be optimistic of taking all three points from rock bottom Cordoba, while Eibar will look for their second successive home win when they are at home to Celta Vigo.

The round of games ends on Monday with Elche, who are still not safe from relegation, entertaining Real Sociedad. Endi